Get Your Seat At The Table: Corporate Boards

A recent Chicago Tribune analysis of Illinois’ largest publicly traded companies shows that women now represent 44 percent of new directorships. You could say this is a victory for all of us. Discover how to get your seat at the table...

Behind the increase is strong investor pressure to create diverse boards whose members can bring new vigor and positive impact to a company’s bottom line. If a corporate board membership is in your future, consider these steps to get there...

Do Great Work That Gets You Noticed

Excel at your job, volunteer for special projects, and develop areas of expertise that corporate boards are looking for now. Board positions tend to go to people that have analytical and conceptual thinking skills, profit and loss experience, and work well with others.

Gain Nonprofit Board Experience

Sitting on nonprofit boards is an excellent way to learn and hone board governance skills as you build your resume. Nonprofit board membership can lead to powerful, influential relationships, and ultimately a corporate board seat.

Enhance Your Brand

Keep your bio, CV, and LinkedIn profile board-focused and updated. A professional profile picture combined with a succinct LinkedIn summary with keywords can help you stand out. Publish articles and even a book. I co-authored seven textbooks published by respected publishing companies to demonstrate my expertise in healthcare.

Build And Use A Professional Network

Attend events and reach out to people who can offer advice or help you make connections. Learn to share your skills and career goals in a succinct, compelling way. Be patient but persevere, and you’ll begin to reap the rewards from the seeds you have sown.